The SO and I have decided to buy each other’s wedding bands for Christmas this year, and I’m trying to decide which one I want. Here’s the engagement ring I’ll be wearing it with:

A more close-up picture can be found here. It’s 10k white gold with blue and white sapphires. You can’t see it from the pictures, but it’s on a cathedral-type setting so the stones sit fairly high up off my finger. The top side where the stones are widens toward the center, but the part of the ring that actually touches my finger is the same width throughout – I would guess about 1.5 – 2 mm or so.

Here are the rings I’m considering:

Option #1:

14k White Gold Comfort Fit Milgrain

This one would match the wedding band I’ll be getting for him. Pros: I like the idea of having matching bands, I like milgrain, it’s simple, it’s not very expensive, I like the width (3mm). Cons: No sparkle, not sure it’ll go very well with my engagement ring.

Pros: White gold, Sapphires, Channel-set, presumably low profile (unfortunately there’s only one picture on the website). Cons: Most expensive option, only 10k gold, again doesn’t match FI’s, no width listed, not sure if the blue would be too overpowering.

What do you think? Which one would look the best with my engagement ring? Right now I’m leaning toward option 2, but I’d like to get some of your opinions before deciding.

@cassclaw: gorgeous e-ring! I voted for #3 because the stones are channel set like in your e-ring, and I like the idea of color in both rings (I would have done that for my set, but purple sapphires seem to be tricky to match). Is it possible for you go to a store and try some on? I know that the wedding ring I ended up buying isn’t anything like what I thought I wanted, but I tried it on and it was perfect.

@pineapplez17: I would love to try them all on, but one is online at sarraf.com, option 2 is an Etsy ring, and option 5 is an online exclusive from Zales. I might be able to try on option 3 at Kay, but the last time I was there I got passed from sales lady to sales lady and they kept trying to push me to try on diamond rings, which I don’t want. I might have to try again when it isn’t as busy, and bring pictures of the rings I like.

I like the first one. I feel your e-ring is already sparkly enough, a simple and plain wedding band would look fine with it. Also, the other rings look pretty thick, I’m not sure if they will sit flush with your e-ring or match the thickness of it. I personially NEED my rings to sit flush and match in thickness.

@cassclaw: that stinks that you had a bad experience at the jewelry store. I went to one or two places where they just showed me what they thought I would like, but didn’t give me options. It’s their job to cater to what you want, and we didn’t purchase our rings from those stores.

You might not be able to try on those exact rings, but you could try on similar ones to make sure you like the style. And who knows, you might find something completely different that you love!

Okay. I think I’ve narrowed it down to just two choices now. Of the fancier rings, the blue and white one is my favorite.

It’s channel set like my engagement ring, would most likely sit flush with the e-ring, and I think it would look really nice with it. Plus I’m pretty sure I could try it on at the store, assuming I want to deal with the people at my local Kay again. It’s a little more than I wanted my FI to have to buy, given that he spent quite a lot (for us) on my e-ring, but it’s still less than $300.

BUT. Part of me wonders if it wouldn’t be better to just stick with the plainer band:

It’s less money for higher quality gold, would probably look just fine with my e-ring, and it would match my FI’s band. And if I ever wanted/needed to wear just the band without the e-ring, I feel like this one looks more like a traditional “wedding ring”.

Gah! I’m so terrible at decision making! Should I go for the plainer, more economical 14k milgrain and ask for the blue and white sapphire ring as like a 5-year anniversary present? Would I regret going for the more colorful ring and wish I had something simpler/more traditional, or vice versa?

I’ve given it a lot of thought today, and I think I’m going to go with the milgrain band. I feel like a simpler wedding band is more “classic” and would stand the test of time better (not knocking those of you with flashier wedding bands though, to each her own). Also, my engagement ring has plenty of sparkle on its own. And I think the milgrain edging would be enough detail for the wedding band not to get completely lost beside the e-ring, while providing some decoration for those times when I’ll need/choose to wear the wedding band by itself. In addition, I really do like the idea of my FI and I having matching bands (though his will be wider). And if in the future I do decide I want a band with sapphires, I can always ask for one as an anniversary gift. 😉